The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1887-10-26
Commissioner Edgsrion on the Rights Of Civil
SsrYies Employees.
Appointment te Clsrkshiss Does Not Deprive
Thsm Of 0.t7alshlp.
They Have Perfect Right to Advance the
Principles They Believe In.
Disagreeing Entirely with Commissioner
Oberly's OrdeT-The Privileges of
Civil Service Examiners

WASHINGTON, October 22-Civil Service
Commissioner Edgerton, during an inter
view had with him by an Associated Press
reporter yesterday was asked il in his
opinion government clerks and other en-
ployes had right, unabridged by the civil
service laws, to associate themselves to-
gether as a society or association for the
purpose of advancing the interests of any
political party, and whether such society
or association has a right to assess its
members or to receive from them, directly
or indirectly, contributions Tor political
purposes.
'Unquestionably they have that right, -
replied Mr.. Edgerton, when person has
successfully passed civil service examlna-
ton, and has been duly certified aud per-
manently appointed TO the classified SER
vice, there the authority of the commission
ceases, and his action thereafter is con-
trolled by the appointing power From
that moment his action is outside OF the
control, authority, influence or power of
the civil service commissioners He is en-
tirely outside OF their Jurisdiction"
But" queried the reporter, sis not the
commission charged with the enforcement
of the civil service law and does not that
law prohibit such contributions
Section Is OF the act of January 16, 1888,
says that mo officer, clerk or other per-
son in the service of the United States
shall directly or indirectly give or hand
over to any other officer, clerk, or person
in the service of the United States, or to
any Senator or member of the House of
Representatives or Territorial delegates
any money or other valuable thing on
account Of, or to be applied to the pro-
motion of any political object whatever"
''Is not the civil service commission re-
spoDsible for the enforcement OF that law
in its letter and spirit?"
"Certalnly il is" said Mr. Edgerton,
but that law has nothing to 90 with in
divlduals outside Of their offices OF Official
positions. Nothing is said about associa-
tions. The commission is not licensed as a
detective association nor clothed with its
functions or authority. Ex-COmmissioners
Eaton and Gregory, in letter TO the
President, dated October 10 1885. state
that 1t hardly need be said that the COM
mission has authority concerning the en-
forcement OF the criminal provisions OF the
Civil Service Act The President in his
circular letter of July II 1886, to heads of
the department, says that individual
interest and activity in political affairs are
0y no means condemned. Office holders
are neither disfranchised nor forbidden the
exercise II political privileges; but their
privilege, are not enlarged, nor is their
duty To psrty increased to pernlcious
actieity oy Office holding Can anything
be pie ner in its meaning than that?'
Sale Mr.. EdgertO1: docs the President
sryu here in that letter intimate that a
cieIl must become political mute? No
sir, us pernicious activity, il Is the brawI-
iI9 ofensiveness that the President CO l.
dennis as do all right thinking men; bat
81 honest effort IN the interest of the party
il wbose principles he believes, is COM
r endable."
What are your views in regard to Mr..
ObeTly's recent order that members of any
political committee or association or any
one engaged in the work OF promoting the
interests of any political party shall not be
eligible for appointment on boards OF civil
service examiners" was asked.
Il think such an order is not justified by
the law or any order made by the President.
1t involves political inquiry by the com.
mission, right or privilege denied to il
by the law" was the reply. "He might as
well order that any man belonging to any
particular religious society shall be ineligi-
bic for appointment on such boards. No
SIR" he continued, "all of this is outside
OF the Jurisdiction OF the civil service com
mission. 1 thoroughly believe in an honest
Interpretation of the civil service law;
believe in enforcing that law in the man.
ner Congress intended TO have it enforced.
but do not believe in straining after some
thing nobody knows what, for political OF
personal effect, ard believe that the Pres
ident and three-fourths Of the Democratic
party Will sustain my position"